The two sides were too evenly matched for the game to produce much expansive, running rugby.

However the crowd of 400 witnessed an impressive defensive display from both the home side and the visitors as attack after attack was thwarted by some fierce tackling.

Fittingly it was Gregory, playing on the wing rather than his more usual full back position, who put the first points on the board, slotting over a penalty after just two minutes.

Esher had the chance to double their lead a few minutes later after referee David Sainsbury penalised the visitors for offside.

However fly half Chris Finch was unable to emulate the kicking skills of his team mate as his attempt fell short.

As the half progressed the game fell into a pattern of each side winning spells of possession and territory, only for attacks to break down due to strong and timely tackling.

Sedgley were forced to reshuffle their line up sooner than they might have liked due to injuries as winger Scales was replaced by Morris and number eight Fourie substituted for Roberts.

However the visitors did not let the forced substitutions unsettle them and drew level midway through the first half when Arno de Jager kicked a penalty after Esher went off side.

Esher were first on the attack after the half time interval. An angled kick deep into the Sedgley half forced defending full back Glynn to put the ball into touch, which gave the home team a lineout just metres from the try line.

The Esher forwards won the ball but were held up as they went for the try.

The home side retained possession and continued to pressurise the visitors, eventually forcing Sedgley to concede a penalty which Gregory kicked to restore Esher’s lead.

Gregory extended the advantage with another successful penalty kick a few minutes later after Sedgley’s forwards showed poor discipline by coming round the side of a ruck.

Although Esher were ahead, there was little to choose between the sides in terms of possession and territory, so it did not come as a surprise when Sedgley took the lead as the match approached the hour mark.

Seeking to press back their opponents, Esher sent a high kick into the Sedgley half. However the visitors’ full back collected the ball comfortably before embarking on a darting run which sliced through the Esher line.

His long pass found wing Ross Bullough who outpaced Esher’s Nash Sumba to touch down between the posts for the try.

The conversion by de Jager gave Sedgley a 10-9 lead with some 20 minutes remaining.

But Esher did not have to wait long to restore their advantage and were given a helping hand by the referee when Sedgley’s replacement number eight Roberts was sent to the sin bin for persistent foul play.

The penalty he conceded on the Sedgley 22 metre line was all the invitation Gregory needed and the Esher winger calmly kicked his fourth attempt of the match to give his side the lead back.

Both sides mounted attacks in the last quarter but strong defensive tackling prevented further points from being scored as

Esher held on for two points that lifted them into fifth spot in the league.